What can we learn about spiritual blindness from the Pharisees' response in Matthew 9:34? Setting the Scene Matthew 9 records a series of dramatic healings that climax with Jesus casting out a mute demon (vv. 32-33). The crowd marvels, but: “ But the Pharisees said, ‘It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons.’ ” (Matthew 9:34) The Pharisees’ Verdict—A Case Study in Spiritual Blindness • They witness an undeniable miracle: a man freed from demonic oppression and able to speak. • Instead of glorifying God, they ascribe Jesus’ power to Satan (“the prince of demons”). • Their conclusion reverses good and evil, echoing Isaiah 5:20, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” What Spiritual Blindness Looks Like • Rejecting Clear Evidence – Miraculous works stand before them, yet they refuse to believe (cf. John 12:37). • Twisting Truth to Protect Self-Interest – Acceptance of Jesus would unravel their religious authority (John 11:48). • Accusing God of Evil – They attribute the Holy Spirit’s work to demonic power—an early glimpse of the “blasphemy against the Spirit” Jesus later warns about (Matthew 12:24-32). • Hardness That Increases With Exposure – Repeated light brings either softening or further hardening (Hebrews 3:12-13). Root Causes Behind the Blindness 1. Pride (Proverbs 16:18) 2. Tradition Elevated Above Scripture (Mark 7:8-9) 3. Fear of Losing Influence (John 9:22) 4. Satanic Deception—“the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Consequences of Remaining Blind • Missing the Kingdom (Matthew 23:13) • Leading Others Into Darkness—“Blind guides of the blind” (Matthew 15:14) • Hardened Hearts That Invite Judgment (John 9:39-41) Guardrails for Our Own Hearts • Humble, prayerful dependence on God’s Word (Psalm 119:18; Proverbs 3:5-6) • Quick repentance when confronted by truth (Psalm 139:23-24) • Giving God glory for His works instead of seeking personal credit (1 Corinthians 1:31) • Testing every spirit but never maligning what is genuinely from the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21) The Hope the Pharisees Missed • Jesus came “to open eyes that are blind” (Isaiah 42:7). • Even entrenched opponents can receive sight when they turn—Saul the Pharisee became Paul the apostle (Acts 9:1-18). • Christ still offers light: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness…” (John 8:12). Recognizing the Pharisees’ blindness warns us to stay soft-hearted, truth-loving, and Christ-exalting—so the light we’ve been given only grows brighter (Proverbs 4:18). |
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